Arizona

Luxist Takes the Honda CR-Z to the Camelback Inn

There's a desert to the west of Los Angeles, the dusty, scrubby kind riven by arroyos and snow-capped ranges. The city is protected from that barren terror by a kind of East Wall, a monumentally wide buffer of concrete that are actually cities and towns everyone knows about but few ever visit on purpose – places like Monrovia, Cerritos, Montebello, Pomona.

Occasionally, though, there comes a reason to cross that desert, and you want a good camel when such time comes. We found a proper mount in the Honda CR-Z, a two-seat hybrid to play miniature steel dromedary for our Bedouin sallies.

The destination was an oasis 380 miles due east tucked behind Scottsdale's Camelback Mountain, in Paradise Valley, and aptly named The Camelback Inn. Once there, having braved, well, nothing really, we would quench our thirst with some of the finest drinks ever sipped by any traveler, weary or otherwise...

Tags: arizona, camelback inn, cr-z, honda, honda cr-z, hybrid, marriott, phoenix, resort, scottsdale

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Hotel Theodore To Get New Owners, Name Change

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

It has been called the Mondrian Scottdale and the James Hotel but a Scottsdale, Arizona hotel known currently as Hotel Theodore will get another name change soon. The Arizona Republic reports that the Sydell Group, which owns the Ace Hotel New York and Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs, bought the hotel for $16.25 million. The company hired Joie de Vivre Hospitality to manage the 195-room hotel and Sydell plans to renovate and rename the hotel by the fall. Look for the hotel to be regain some of its coolness. The Ace Hotel and Joie de Vivre Hospitality, which operates 34 hotels in California both have reputations for creating trendy hotels much like the original James was when it opened in 2004.

Tags: arizona, hotel theodore, scottsdale

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Fleming Springs Road, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home has a super motivated seller. This mountain top retreat in Cave Creek, Arizona has been reduced $6 million since being listed. The property offers nearly 75 acres of desert with a forest of saguaro cacti.

The six-bedroom home has been featured by the Wall St. Journal, Arizona Republic, Fox 10 and NBC in Phoenix. It has more than 10,000 square feet of space with 150-year-old oak flooring taken from a Midwest warehouse in the great room. The home takes inspiration both from Tuscan style as well as local adobe. There are lots of skylights including one that lights up the kitchen. The master suite that straddles the top of the mountain for sunrise and sunset views. Other rooms include a wine room, media room and game room. An elevator connects the floors. Outside there is a pool complex and an outdoor kitchen perched up on the hillside. This home is listed at $9.9 million.

Gallery: Cave Creek, Arizona

Tags: arizona, arizona real estate, cave creek, estate of the day

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Million-Dollar Ferraris and More at Gooding & Co. Auction in Arizona

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

It's not every day that a car like the Ferrari FXX Evoluzione goes up for auction. Or a Maserati MC12. Or a Ferrari F40, F50 or 333 SP, for that matter. But these and more are set to cross the auction block in a star-studded line-up presented by Gooding & Company.

The collection of the late Benny Caiola includes the aforementioned FXX (estimated at $2.2-2.5 million), MC12 ($1.1-1.4 million), 333 SP ($800,000-1 million), F40 ($475,000-550,000) and F50 ($750,000-850,000), along with an F430 Challenge race car ($125,000 - $150,000) and 430 Scuderia ($215,000-240,000), 599 HGTE ($275,000-315,000) and 1973 Ferrari Dino ($160,000-180,000) plus a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster ($240,000-325,000) and Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 ($175,000-225,000) for good measure.

The most notable (and valuable) of the collection, the FXX and MC12 are both based on the iconic Ferrari Enzo supercar, but optimized for performance on the race track, while the 333 SP was the last Le Mans Prototype ever built by Ferrari. It's a rare collection to be sure, one that promises to bring in upwards of $7 million in sales when the auction kicks off on January 21 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Gallery: The Caiola Collection - Gooding & Company

Tags: 1973 Ferrari Dino, 1990 Ferrari F40, 1995 Ferrari F50, 1999 Ferrari 333 SP, 2005 Maserati MC12, 2006 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione, 2007 Ferrari F430 Challenge, 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia, 2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4, 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE, 333 SP, 333SP, 430 Scuderia, 599, 599 GTB Fiorano, 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE, arizona, auction, benny caiola, caiola, caiola collection, Dino, F40, F50, Ferrari 333 SP, Ferrari 333SP, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE, Ferrari 599 HGTE, Ferrari Dino, Ferrari F40, Ferrari F430 Challenge, Ferrari F50, Ferrari FXX, Ferrari FXX Evoluzione, FXX, FXX Evoluzione, Gallardo, Gallardo LP 560-4, gooding, gooding and company, gooding company, Lamborghini Gallardo, Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4, Maserati MC12, MC12, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster, scottsdale, SLR, SLR McLaren, SLR McLaren Roadster

Rare 1949 Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta Joins Arizona Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions

Last month we told you that a rare rare 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder formerly owned by both baseball great Reggie Jackson and famed daredevil Evel Knieval is expected to fetch up to $1 million at RM Auctions' annual Automobiles of Arizona sale in Phoenix on January 20 – 21. Now another even more desirable Ferrari has been added to the sale, a rare, race-bred 1949 166 MM Touring Barchetta (above) estimated at $1.9 million – $2.4 million. The incredible car, chassis number 0024 M, was originally commissioned for the 1949 Paris Motor Show and has been owned and raced by many notable individuals in the Ferrari world. The 10th built of just 25 examples featuring striking "Barchetta" coachwork from Carrozzeria Touring of Milan, the car made its racing debut at the 1950 Mar del Plata in Argentina, finishing an impressive first overall. It was also raced in period in the 1951 Mille Miglia, where it was driven by well-known female driver Aprile Palmer, who purchased the car shortly afterward; more recently the car underwent a complete and total restoration.

[via JamesList]

Gallery: 1949 Ferrari 166MM Touring Barchetta

Tags: Arizona, Carrozzeria Touring, classic cars, Ferrari, Mille Miglia, racing, RM Auctions

IPic Bring Mogul Movie-Watching to Scottsdale

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Harry Cohn, Samuel Goldwn and Darryl Zanuck didn't trek to the multiplex to enjoy a film. For them, the phrase "big screen" was associated with words like "personal" and "velvet" and "captain's chair" and "service," not "hot dog combo" and "sticky floors." That mogul way of moviegoing is about to be introduced to Scottsdale, Arizona by iPic Entertainment, which is opening up a luxury theater in Scottsdale Quarter next month.

You'll be able to reserve your seats online in one of two levels: Premium and Gold Class. Premium ticket holders can order fresh American and Mediterranean fare from Tanzy and carry it into the theater, along with beverages of the fermented variety, to their 30-inch-wide leather chairs. Punch the Gold Class ticket, however, and you'll get full-service inside the theater: custom recliners with foot rests, food and bevvies throughout film, complimentary popcorn and free valet parking

Each of the eight theaters holds but two rows in stadium configuration, with four-and-a-half feet between each so you won't need to worry about the bouquet from your neighbor's Pinot mingling with that of your Shiraz. True, Goldwyn and co. didn't need to leave their own homes to indulge in the screen trade, but they didn't have the after-hours lounge Salt to enjoy post movie, either. Or the Apple Store. iPic Theaters opens December 17.

Gallery: IPic Theaters, Scottsdale AZ

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Tags: arizona, entertainment, ipic, ipic theaters, movies, scottsdale

Reggie Jackson's $1 Million Ferrari & More at Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, Celebrity Shopping, Sports

A rare 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder (above) formerly owned by both baseball great Reggie Jackson and famed daredevil Evel Knieval is expected to fetch up to $1 million at RM Auctions' annual Automobiles of Arizona sale in Phoenix on January 20 – 21. The car is one of a number of stunning Ferraris on offer in the stunning auction taking place at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa (previewed by my colleague Noah Joseph), including a gorgeous 1966 Ferrari Superfast Series I, estimated at $900,000 – $1 million; a fully-restored 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter Berlinetta, est. $400,000 – $600,000; a well-known 1995 Ferrari F50 Show Car, est. $600,000 – $800,000, the very first F50 built; and a stunning jet black 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC. Other classic European thoroughbreds set to cross the block include a 1921 Rolls-Royce 40/50HP Silver Ghost Phaeton, est. $350,000 – $475,000; a 1932 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Newmarket Sport Phaeton, est. $300,000 – $450,000; and a 1958 Aston Martin DB2 Mark III, est. $200,000 – $250,000.

Gallery: RM Auctions' Arizona Ferraris

Tags: Arizona, Aston Martin, auction, baseball, celebrity, celebrity cars, classic cars, Ferrari, Reggie Jackson, RM Auctions, Rolls-Royce, sports

The Artist-In-Residence Series at the Hermosa Inn

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Every fall the historic Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, Arizona announces the line-up for its award-winning Artist-in-Residence Series, a program that brings hotel guests and locals together with a favorite artist or author for an intimate evening or brunch of fine dining and conversation at the boutique hotel's restaurant Lon's (named for cowboy artist Lon Megargee(. This season, four Artist-in-Residence Dinners and seven Artist Demonstration Brunches are scheduled from October through April.

"I love to bring well-known artists, performers and authors together with locals and hotel guests for intimate, salon-style evenings, filled with great conversation, fine food and wine," says award-winning author Pam Swartz, The Hermosa Inn's Cultural Arts Director, who hosts the series.

Series evenings begin with a pre-dinner reception followed by a dinner designed especially for the occasion by LON's executive chef, Jeremy Pacheco and wines selected for the event by the sommelier. After dinner, the guest of honor speaks informally and answers questions. Guests who wish to may opt to stay in one of the property's 34 individually decorated guest rooms.

Tags: arizona, artists in residence, hermosa inn, paradise valley

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The Arizona Taco Festival Takes Tacos Upscale

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events

First it was salsa, then tequila, now it's tacos that are getting some overdue north-of-the-border afición. Scottsdale, Arizona will be the next to worship at taco altar when it hosts Arizona Taco Festival, a celebration of all the delicious things you can stack on tortillas of flour and corn and lettuce.

Curated by the same team that put on Scottsdale's barbecue festival earlier this year, the test this time is to see which chef can stack the the most tantalizing tacos in chicken, pork, beef and fish flavors. New York City chef Richard Sandoval (La Biblioteca, Maya, Zenga) is flying in to prep his team from Scottsdale's Fairmont Hotel resto La Hacienda. At the other end, Phoenix farm-to-table restaurant St. Francis doesn't even serve tacos, but the owner flew to Mexico to learn the trade. Between them will be 30 chefs and restaurants plotting the perfect light Latin lunch.

Because there can't be tacos without tequila, Tres Agaves will be doing hand-crafted margaritas, Corrido will be doing a private tequila bar, and labels such as Don Julio, Epsolon, Vince Neils' Tres Rios and Roger Clyne's Mexican Moonshine will be all be vying for the chance to rescue you from the dark side of the agave plant usually referred to as "Cuervo."

And if that's not enough, a hot-chili-eating contest featuring the ghost chili, the pepper so hot that the men who farm it say, "When you eat it, it's like dying." And yes, there will be a Mariachi band happy to serenade your chili escapades.

The AZ Taco Fest goes down October 9, 10 am to 5 pm, general admission $10, VIP tickets $50, tacos for a $2-spot. More info at www.aztacofestival.com.

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Tags: arizona, arizona taco festival, scottsdale, tacos

Arizona Ice Cream Parlor Serves Spirited Flavors

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Ever had your ID checked at the ice cream parlor? You will if you go to Lee's Cream Liqueur Ice Cream Parlor in Scottsdale, Arizona. The shop opens this weekend and serves both traditional ice cream and adults-only ice cream that clocks in around five percent alcohol. Owner Lee Turner told the Arizona Republic that she thinks the time is right for these flavors. Spirited options include margarita, apple martini, Kahlua, strawberry daiquiri, limoncello, Long Island tea, piña colada and champagne. Pints, half-gallons and gallons are available for takeaway.

Tags: arizona, ice cream, ice cream parlors

Luxist Gets an Education in Flowers at Camelback Flowershop

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Services, Lux Tips

While ~~enduring~~ basking in the solarific heat of a Phoenix summer we stumbled upon the Camelback Flowershop. Tucked in between a cafe and a Cuban restaurant there was little on the outside to give away the splendor within, but once inside we knew we had found another portal through the looking glass. After the first bouquet we gifted earned us unheard of accolades, we had returned to the florist to find out exactly how she makes her magic. Armed with a cappuccino from the shop's own maker, we sat down with owner Teresa Wilson, and in addition to learning a few things about sepals and stems we also learned that Camelback Flowershop doesn't sell flowers – it sells fragrant high fashion.

Gallery: Luxist Visits Camelback Flowershop

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Tags: arizona, camelback flowershop, florists, flowers, phoenix

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Ted Baker Opens In Arizona, Will The TedTini Be Served?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Spirits, Men's Style

British brand Ted Baker is opening up its latest store at Scottsdale Fashion Square in Scottsdale, Arizona. The store opens July 1 and as the Arizona Republic reports one of the things the store is most known for might just flout Arizona law. The London brand is famous for fine menswear and women's wear but it's also the home of the Tedtini, a Bombay Sapphire gin martini made with apple juice, mint, gin and simple syrup, garnished with wedges of lime and lemon. The cocktail is offered for free to thirsty-looking customers, usually on weekends or special events. In Arizona to give away liquor Ted Baker would have to apply for a liquor license from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. The store hasn't done that but plans to apply for a special-events permit that allows liquor to be served no more than 12 days a year. Still local authorities probably won't be cracking down to hard on the retailer.

This is the 13th U.S. location for the Ted Baker which also has a five-year partnership with Bombay Sapphire. The cocktails also are served in Ted Baker stores in New York, Nevada, California and other states. The Wall Street Journal had a piece last year on the growing trend of retail stores breaking out the booze to help some customers, especially men, relax and feel at ease. The liquor helps to reinforce the idea that the store is a place where people can linger, browse at leisure and hopefully purchase.

Tags: arizona, retailers serving liquor, scottsdale, ted baker, ted tini, tedtini

Targa Trophy Supercar Rally Kicks Off This Summer

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Events

The Targa Trophy triple-crown series of open road rallies featuring some of the most exotic cars in the world will kick off later this month with high-octane events slated for Southern California, Northern California and Arizona. The series pits drivers against the clock in an effort to drive pre-selected routes through some of the most technical driving roads and scenic byways in the western United States. The first leg – the So Cal Challenge - runs from Hollywood to San Diego, the second event – the Bay Area Rally Fest - takes participants through Silicon Valley and West San Francisco, and the Desert Finale runs through the Arizona desert to Scottsdale. Each two-day event will start with an exclusive private party at the host city's W Hotel.

As the participants make their way to the finish there will be a series of checkpoints and movie screenings culminating in the finale dinner and awards ceremony. HRE Performance Wheels, which designs, engineers and manufactures forged alloy wheels for the world's finest cars in their San Diego facility, has signed on "Official Wheel" of this year's competition. HRE will craft a unique forged aluminum trophy for the rally winner and provide prizes to other top placing drivers as well. The grand prize for the "Triple Crown" winner will be a custom-made set of forged HRE wheels made for the winning vehicle. The So Cal Challenge kicks of on June 25; the deadline to sign up is June 22.

Tags: Arizona, California, Hollywood, rally, San Diego, San Francisco, Scottsdale, Southern California, supercars, Targa Trophy, W Hotel

Talking Rock Ranch Introduces Lone Spur and Western Legend Homes

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

The high country just outside of Prescott, Arizona is home to Talking Rock Ranch, a master-planned community centered around its 30,000-square-foot ranch clubhouse and Jay-Morrish-designed 18-hole golf course. As a sign of greener and financially friendlier times, Talking Rock has just introduced the Lone Spur and Western Legends home portfolios featuring plans that are smaller and more efficient yet just as luxurious.

The Lone Spur Collection tend to the rustic with cedar, fiber cement siding and culture stone, then add efficiency with continuous insulation throughout all of the exterior walls, Anderson dual-pane windows and patio doors, and lean-running heating and cooling pumps. Inside, floorplans ranging from 2,384 sq. ft. to 2,754 sq. ft. get granite countertops, vaulted ceilings, your choice of three different hardwoods for cabinets and a stainless steel appliance allowance. Prices run from the mid-to-high $400,000s.

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Tags: arizona, lone spur collection, prescott, prescott arizona, talking rock ranch, western legends collection

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Summertime Travel: Kimpton's FireSky Resort

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Kimpton Resorts never disappoint and with summer approaching the FireSky Resort in Arizona has managed to create new packages to entice us all whether visiting for business or pleasure. These packages are available for less than $100 per night leaving you more money to spend in nearby Old Scottsdale. See if any of these suit your fancy:

Mother/Daughter Sweet Escape: Between June and September, $89/night affords you both a pair of complimentary cocktails, complimentary dessert anytime you dine at Taggia (the on-site restaurant), 25% off at Jurlique Spa and a coupon book for nearby Fashion Square Mall. (Rate code: PMOM)
Tee It Up Golf Package: Golf can often be an expensive activity at fine resorts but this package offers unlimited golf for two, a sleeve of balls (always good to have extras) and a flight of beer starting at just $185 between June and September.
Military We Salute You: American troops will enjoy a welcome bottle of wine, complimentary appetizer and dessert with purchase of dinner for two, and 25% discount at Jurlique Spa starting at $99/night from June through September. (Rate code: PMIL)
Summer of Pride: LGBT travelers can enjoy a sunny vacation starting at $93/night now through September 6 including deluxe overnight accommodations, $25 dining credit at Taggia every day of your stay, and a Pride-themed welcome gift upon arrival. (Rate code: PRIDE)
$92 and A Round of Brew: Enjoy four complimentary beers at Taggia and patio accommodations to kick-off your relaxing stay between June and September for just $92/night. (Rate code: BREW)
Meat, Eat, Retreat: A business package for the summer includes rooms from $89 and breakfast for just $1 more. Guests may also choose two of the following perks: complimentary one-hour reception, group welcome amenity, gift certificate for a two-night stay, 25% discount on SWANK audio visual, 7% discount on the master bill, $2 per room per night donation to Haiti Relief.

With all of these options and the fact that FireSky is Arizona's first Green Seal resort you don't need many more reasons to schedule your getaway -- but just in case there are plenty of photos below.

Gallery: Kimpton's FireSky Resort

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Tags: arizona, firesky resort, hotel deals, kimpton, kimpton hotels

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